JR’s litterati joins the Great British Spring Clean campaign. Here’s why you should too…

Every year, as winter coats are shoved back in cupboards and lighter layers dug out, Keep Britain Tidy launches the Great British Spring Clean. The aim? To make a big difference with small acts of kindness. From Friday 25 March to Sunday 10 April, they’re encouraging people across the UK to grab a litter picker and clean up a corner of their community.

Since the campaign's inception in 2008, Muslim and Christian organisations of all kinds have participated in the Great British Spring Clean, so we were surprised to discover that no Jewish organisation had. We're delighted to announce that in 2022 Jewish Renaissance is acting as Keep Britain Tidy's ambassadors to the Jewish community.

This is a cause that JR has been involved with since our arts editor Judi Herman received his ’n’ hers litter pickers for her wedding anniversary last year. Before long, the rest of the JR team was out in their local areas for a clear-up. We take pride in our contributions to help the planet, however big or small, from ensuring our printers are Zero Waste to Landfill certified, to using 100% compostible packaging, and this year we’re taking it a step further by inviting the entire Jewish community to join us.

Not only is litter picking important to protect the environment, safeguard wildlife and reduce waste, but it is in the spirit of tikkun olam, the Jewish precept of repairing the world. Plus, the Great British Spring Clean campaign falls in the weeks leading up to Pesach this year, when we will all be spring cleaning our houses in preparation, so why not extend that sentiment to the wider community?

How you can get involved:

• Find out what community clean-ups are happening near you by entering your postcode on the Keep Britain Tidy homepage.

• Take part in the #BigBagChallenge, where participants pledge to fill one bin liner with litter picked from their local neighbourhoods, be it a one-off, every day for a week or longer, like Danny and Jojo, who are collecting daily for the entirety of Ramadan.

• Volunteer to become one of Keep Britain Tidy’s #LitterHeroes (their year-round army of litter pickers), an Eco-Schools Assessor, and more.

• Looking for a litter picker? Keep Britain Tidy recommends the Helping Hand company, but if you’re planning to get a group together, contact your local council, as many of them will be able to loan equipment.

We hope you’ve been inspired to head out on a little litter-picking excursion in your own local areas. We’d love to see you in action, so please send your pictures in via Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, or email them to info@jewishrenaissance.org.uk, and we’ll share them on our blog and social channels.

By Danielle Goldstein

For more information on the Great British Spring Clean, visit keepbritaintidy.org.